The federal minister said that there was no directives from the Saudi authorities to halt arrangements for Hajj. “The Saudi government will consult with top Muslim countries before taking any such decision,” he said.

He said that the Saudi ministry only asked them to postpone transport, hotel and building bookings and it would be premature to say anything on Hajj 2020.

It is necessary to mention here that Saudi Arabia suspended on Friday all domestic flights, buses, taxis and trains for 14 days starting Saturday.

The move comes as a precautionary measure to limit the spread of coronavirus which has spread panic in global markets and put several countries on virtual lockdowns.